From a federal perspective, I'm worried about how the mounting deficit will impact the federal government's ability to address the needs of local first responders in the years ahead. Congress no longer can turn its back on the federal debt and hope that it will disappear on its own. It will have to make some politically painful decisions in terms of spending cuts and/or tax increases — or run the risk of another economic disaster.

If the latter occurs, there's no guarantee that first responder programs will be protected. We've already seen FIRE Act funding reduced by more than 30% in FY 2010. Chiefs need to continue building relations with their elected leaders in Washington and educate them on the importance of maintaining federal support — whether it's for FIRE, SAFER or all other funding programs. This includes chiefs of major metropolitan departments, as well as chiefs of small, rural departments.

---

Return to the 2010 Decade Forecast: Sighs of the Times main page.

Or jump to another 2010 Decade Forecast perspective:

• Cultural Barriers
  By Kelvin Cochran, U.S. Fire Administrator
• Booming Woes
  By Denis Onieal, Superintendent, National Fire Academy
• Emerging Economy
  By Rob Brown, Chief, Stafford County (Va.) Fire Department
• Volunteer Issues
  By Philip Stittleburg, Chief, LaFarge (Wis.) Fire Department, and Chairman, NVFC
• Apparatus Advances
  By Peter Darley, President, FAMA, and Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Darley Co.
• Expanded EMS
  By Gary Ludwig, Deputy Chief, Memphis (Tenn.) Fire Department, and Chairman, IAFC EMS Section
• Federal Deficits
  By Bill Webb, Executive Director, CFSI
• Safety First
  By Rob McLeod, Deputy Chief, Chandler (Ariz.) Fire Department, and Chairman, FDSOA
• Creative City Managers
  By Bill Wolpin, Associate Publisher/Editorial Director, American City & County magazine
• Renewed Hope
  By Meri-K Appy, President, Home Safety Council
• Budget Efficiencies
  By John R. Hill, President, Envizion Financial